Church History Literacy Chinese Missions - The Christian Faith Goes East Lesson 91 Biblical-Literacy.com © Copyright 2007 by W. Mark Lanier. Permission hereby granted to reprint this document in its entirety without change, with reference given, and not for financial profit. China CHINA China CHINA 1.3 Billion People China CHINA 1.3 Billion People 20-100 Million Christians HowHow diddid thethe gospelgospel reachreach China?China? China CHINA 1.3 Billion People 20-100 Million Christians Mission Mission: “a body sent to propagate a religiousMission faith” Mission: “a body sent to propagate a religiousMission faith” Latin: MISSIO “a sending off” Mission: “a body sent to propagate a religiousMission faith” Latin: MISSIO “a sending off” “missile” or “missive” Who “sent” the gospel? Great Commission Great Commission Jesus: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15) Great Commission Jesus: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15) Through Abraham: “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 18:18) China has never been too receptive to outsiders China has never been too receptive to outsiders 4 stages 4 stages Nestorian Heretics (600’s - 1300’s) 4 stages Nestorian Heretics (600’s - 1300’s) Catholic Efforts (1293/1500’s to present) 4 stages Nestorian Heretics (600’s - 1300’s) Catholic Efforts (1293/1500’s to present) Protestant Efforts (1800’s to present) Robert Morrison Robert Born: 1782 England Morrison Robert Born: 1782 England Morrison Prayer: “Lord, place me in the most difficult area with the largest obstacles” Robert Born: 1782 England Morrison Prayer: “Lord, place me in the most difficult area with the largest obstacles” China: 1807 for 27 years Ship conversation “Morrison,Ship do youconversation really expect to make an impression on the idolatrous Chinese?” “Morrison,Ship do youconversation really expect to make “No, but I expect an impression on the God will!” idolatrous Chinese?” Morrison arrives to a near impossible mission The Opium Wars made it tougher! Morrison’s fruits Morrison’s fruits • 10 conversions Morrison’s fruits • 10 conversions • A good Chinese Bible! Morrison’s fruits • 10 conversions • A good Chinese Bible! • Awakening of England Morrison’s fruits • 10 conversions • A good Chinese Bible! • Awakening of England • Liang Afa J. Hudson Taylor J. Hudson • Dedicated by mother Taylor before birth in 1832 J. Hudson • Dedicated by mother Taylor before birth in 1832 • Studied medicine then left for China at 21 J. Hudson • Dedicated by mother Taylor before birth in 1832 • Studied medicine then left for China at 21 • Drastic situation called for drastic measures J. Hudson • Dedicated by mother Taylor before birth in 1832 • Studied medicine then left for China at 21 • Drastic situation called for drastic measures J. Hudson • Dedicated by mother Taylor before birth in 1832 • Studied medicine then left for China at 21 • Drastic situation called for drastic measures • A furlough in England changed his approach Taylor organized the “China Inland Mission” Taylor organized the “China Inland Mission” Today the “Overseas Missionary Fellowship” has over 30,000 missionaries all over the world Taylor was marked by humility “Here to speak, is our illustrious guest, Hudson Taylor” Taylor was marked by humility “Here to speak, “Dear friends, I am is our illustrious the little servant of guest, Hudson an illustrious Taylor” Master” Hudson Taylor and Maria Dyer Hudson Taylor and Maria Dyer I would wait if he went home in order to increase his usefulness. But is he to leave his [mission] work in order to gain a name for the sake of marrying me? If he loves me more than Jesus, he is not worthy of me – if he were to leave the Lord’s work for world’s honour, I would have nothing to do with him. Taylor after the marriage: Charles Spurgeon Taylor after the marriage: “China, China, China is now ringing in our ears in that special, peculiar, musical, forcible, unique way in which Mr. Taylor utters it.” Charles Spurgeon Taylor and the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 Taylor's fruits Taylor's fruits • >800 missionaries brought to the work Taylor's fruits • >800 missionaries brought to the work • 18,000 conversions Taylor's fruits • >800 missionaries brought to the work • 18,000 conversions • Opium awareness Taylor's fruits • >800 missionaries brought to the work • 18,000 conversions • Opium awareness • 125 schools Lottie Moon Lottie Moon • Little Charlotte born to a wealthy Virginia family in 1840 Lottie Moon • Little Charlotte born to a wealthy Virginia family in 1840 • A brainiac! Lottie Moon • Little Charlotte born to a wealthy Virginia family in 1840 • A brainiac! • Post Civil War, a teacher Lottie Moon • Little Charlotte born to a wealthy Virginia family in 1840 • A brainiac! • Post Civil War, a teacher • 1873 - 1912 a Chinese Missionary, following Taylor Hudson’s example Lottie Moon and marriage Lottie Moon “God had first claim on and marriage my life, and since the two conflicted, there could be no question about the result” Lottie Moon’s approach to missions Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions 1888: $3,315 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions 1888: 2006: >$150 million $3,315 Total: $2.8 billion Lottie Moon • Lottie died on ship in 1912 Watchman Nee Watchman Nee • Born 1903 Watchman Nee • Born 1903 • Brilliant man becomes a Christian at 17 Watchman Nee • Born 1903 • Brilliant man becomes a Christian at 17 • Self taught through reading Nee-isms Mat. 22:28”Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?" 29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Nee-isms Mat. 22:28”Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?" 29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Nee-isms Read Romans as the normal Christian Life, not the exceptional! Nee-isms Nee-isms Ephesians: Sit with Christ Walk in righteousness Stand firm against Satan Watchman Nee Watchman Nee • Health Problems Watchman Nee • Health Problems • Political Problems Watchman Nee • Health Problems • Political Problems Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ. Watchman Nee. Points for Home Points for Home • Find God’s role for you! Points for Home • Find God’s role for you! • Pray, for you and your children Points for Home • Find God’s role for you! • Pray, for you and your children “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Mt 9:37-38 Points for Home • Find God’s role for you! • Pray, for you and your children “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Mt 9:37-38 • Not “God of the Americas” But Lord over all! “God wants everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).